Champaign County residents encouraged to join surveillance effort

Residents and businesses in Champaign County with home security video systems are being encouraged to register with the Champaign County Sheriffs Office.

A new crime-fighting program called Sheriff and Citizens Expanding Neighborhood Eyes, or SCENE, allows people to register their systems and assist the office in investigating local crimes.

Those who have video systems for security or wildlife are asked to register. If a crime happens near your home, a deputy will email you and ask you to check your recordings for the date and time of the crime, to see if the a suspect or car can be seen.

This might be the one piece of evidence that we need to help solve burglaries or B&Es (breaking and entering) in the area, said Capt. David Rapp, Champaign County Sheriffs Office.

Shelly Thurman knows what it feels like to have ones home burglarized.

Its a terrifying thing. I had a hard time sleeping there for a while, she said. My front door was kicked in once. They pulled my safe out. They busted stuff up.

Now, Thurman is being extra vigilant watching for crime in her neighborhood.

I want to see whats going on. I want to keep an eye out on my neighbors, she said.

Registration for the SCENE program is available on the countys website, http://www.ChampaignOhioSheriff.com.

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Champaign County residents encouraged to join surveillance effort